TRICARE Retiree Dental Program Open for New Enrollments

The TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP) offers comprehensive dental coverage to all enrolled members. Available to retired service members and their family, retired National Guard and Reserve members and their family, Medal of Honor recipients, their family and survivors, TRDP is currently open for enrollment.

TRDP covers diagnostic and preventive services, like exams and cleanings at 100 percent. Emergency services and basic restorative services, like fillings, are covered at 80 percent. The annual deductible is $50 per person, each benefit year, and $150 per family per benefit year. The annual maximum benefit is $1,300 per person per year for enhanced enrollees; this is an increase of $100 from last year. The annual maximum for orthodontia increased from $1500 to $1750. For more information, visit www.tricare.mil/CoveredServices/Dental/TRDP/Costs.

Eligible beneficiaries can enroll online through the Beneficiary Web Enrollment website (BWE), www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/bwe or go to www.trdp.org to print, complete and mail in a TRDP enrollment application.

To enroll on the BWE, beneficiaries will need a DS logon, CAC or DFAS login. Enrollees may be asked to enter information to establish an electronic funds transfer (EFT) method for payment of their monthly premiums, but EFT is not an option for the TRDP so enrollees should not enter anything in that section.

Federal law requires that TRDP premiums be deducted automatically through a monthly allotment from retirement pay. EFT is available only as an alternative method of payment for beneficiaries who do not receive retired pay or whose retired pay is insufficient to cover the allotment amount. For those eligible to pay TRDP monthly premiums by EFT, visit www.trdp.org to download the EFT authorization form.

There is a 12-month commitment for initial enrollments. After a year, beneficiaries can decide to continue on a month to month basis as long as they haven’t added additional family members to the plan. If a beneficiary and spouse are already enrolled, adding a child or any other family member resets the 12-month period.

Retirees who enroll in TRDP within four months of their retirement date have immediate access to the full benefit package. If they miss that four-month window, there is a 12-month waiting period for coverage of more advanced services such as crowns, bridges and implants.

Delta Dental of California manages the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program. Beneficiaries can register at www.trdp.org to access several online features such tracking claims, and adding or removing family members. For information, please visit www.tricare.mil/TRDP.